Description
Bates All Purpose Heritage Saddle – 17″ (Brown)
Grade 5 | Pre-Owned | Serial No. B1501032-43 | Saddle ID: S13138
Bench Inspection & Fitter’s Rating
At Best Horse Saddle Shop, every pre-owned saddle goes straight to our workshop before it’s listed. Our SMS Qualified Saddlers put each piece through a detailed 24-point bench inspection to check tree soundness, CAIR panel health, stitching integrity, and billet security.
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Condition Grade: Grade 5 (Average Pre-Owned Condition)
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Fitter’s Notes: Structurally sound across the ElastiFlex tree frame, CAIR system, and girthing billets.
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Cosmetic Details: Shows clear signs of regular riding wear, including moderate flap wear from stirrup leathers, seat surface wear, a pommel scuff, and a cantle scuff (all highlighted in photos). The Heritage leather has developed a rich, broken-in patina and remains supple.
What Makes The Bates All Purpose Heritage Special?
If you want high-performance innovation wrapped in rich, classic English leather, the Bates All Purpose Heritage is a standout choice.
Crafted with Bates’ oiled Heritage Leather, this saddle offers an extra-grippy, tactile feel straight away, giving you immediate security in the saddle. Its deeply balanced seat supports proper alignment whether you are doing flatwork, hacking out, or jumping, making it a reliable, comfortable workhorse for everyday riding.
Key Features & Specifications
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Discipline: General Purpose / All Purpose (GP)
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Seat Size: 17″ (Deeply balanced seat)
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Colour: Brown
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Flap Design: Traditional Dual Flap (Flap Length: 15.75″)
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Material: Oiled Heritage Leather with padded knee inserts
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Tree Type: Lifetime-Guaranteed Flexible ElastiFlex Tree
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Adjustability Range: EASY-CHANGE Gullet System (Narrow to Extra-Wide)
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Currently Fitted With: Medium (M) Gullet Bar
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Panel Type: CAIR Cushion System (Compatible with EASY-CHANGE Risers)
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Knee Support: Repositionable Velcro knee blocks
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Girthing: Flexible girth point system with movable straps
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Target Wither Profile: Standard Wither / Average Back Profile
Why Our Fitters Love This Model
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Complete HART / EASY-CHANGE Flexibility: Equipped with the EASY-CHANGE Gullet System and CAIR air panels, allowing you or your fitter to swap tree widths and insert balance risers as your horse’s shape changes over time.
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Rich Heritage Leather: The pre-oiled Heritage leather delivers exceptional tactile grip and break-in comfort from day one, aging gracefully with proper care.
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Pressure-Relieving Air Panels: CAIR Cushion technology uses fluid air cells to absorb impact and eliminate pressure points across your horse’s back muscles.
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Personalized Leg Position: Moveable Velcro knee blocks make it easy to position leg support right where you need it for flatwork or jumping.
Trial & Shipping Options (UK & USA)
UK Mainland 5-Day Trial
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Add the saddle to your basket and complete checkout.
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Choose your preferred delivery date at checkout—we recommend scheduling delivery 2 working days before your fitter’s visit to account for courier transit.
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Your 5-day trial begins the day the saddle arrives.
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If it fits—fantastic! If not, return it within the 5-day window under our standard UK trial policy.
USA 5-Day Trial & Fast Tracked Shipping
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Order directly through our store with flat-rate express international shipping via DHL/FedEx.
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Your 5-Day USA Trial begins the moment the saddle arrives at your doorstep.
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Schedule your fitter during your 5-day trial window. If it isn’t the right match, contact our support team to arrange a seamless international return.
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US buyers regularly save hundreds importing high-end pre-owned English saddles directly from us!
What’s Included
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Certified Saddle Inspection Report (Bench check for tree, CAIR panels, and safety)
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6-Month Pre-Owned Soundness Warranty
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5-Day UK & USA Trial Options
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Guaranteed 9-Month Buy-Back Option (UK Mainland clients)
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Free Guide: “Secrets to Selling Your Saddle” eBook
Care & Maintenance Guidelines
To keep Heritage leather nourished, supple, and protected against the elements:
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Step 1 – Hydrate: Apply Bates Leather Cream regularly to replenish deep moisture, preserving the leather’s natural flex and preventing dryness or cracking.
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Step 2 – Seal & Protect: Follow up with Bates Leather Balsam to create a protective surface shield against water, sweat, and everyday wear.
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Daily Clean: Wipe off surface dirt and sweat with a soft damp cloth after riding before conditioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What horse profile does this saddle fit best?
This saddle works best on horses with a Standard Wither and average back profile. The CAIR panels and EASY-CHANGE Risers make it easy to fine-tune the balance if your horse’s muscle structure changes.
Can I adjust the tree width myself?
Yes! The EASY-CHANGE Gullet System allows you to quickly swap gullet headplates (from Narrow to Extra-Wide) right in your tack room using standard tools.
How do CAIR panels work?
Instead of traditional wool flocking, CAIR panels use internal air bags that continuously mold to your horse’s moving back, evenly distributing your weight and eliminating pressure points.











Isabell P –
Really nice saddle with a comfortable seat. The craftsmanship is noticeable and the stitching is neat. I was initially unsure about ordering online, but the saddle arrived looking just like the pictures. I’ve had a good experience so far and would consider purchasing again.”
Grace P –
“Very pleased with the quality of the saddle. I’m based in the USA and the saddle arrived well protected, with no obvious damage from shipping. The finish looks attractive and the seat is comfortable for both shorter rides and longer sessions. I also appreciated that the saddle looked very similar to the photographs and description on the website. My experience with Best Horse Saddle Shop has been positive so far, and after several rides I’m still happy with the purchase.”
Lucy K –
The saddle is comfortable and looks beautiful. My horse adapted to it quite quickly and I’ve enjoyed using it for regular riding. The leather has a nice appearance and the stitching is neat. So far, I’m very pleased with how it has performed